Wales RWC 2019 Thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

WALES’ 2019 RWC SQUAD:

Forwards: Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs: Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams.

[maestegmafia]

On form and fit Hill is a fantastic player to have in the squad.

All will be answered tomorrow, if hill doesn’t go I would be tempted to take another’s player who is not a second row. I don’t think Bradley Davies adds anything to the squad other than injury cover. Very anonymous today.

[Poorfour]

On form and fit Hill is a fantastic player to have in the squad.

All will be answered tomorrow, if hill doesn’t go I would be tempted to take another’s player who is not a second row. I don’t think Bradley Davies adds anything to the squad other than injury cover. Very anonymous today.

Gatland’s fairly regularly taken players who are returning from injury and let them play themselves back into fitness in competitive games, but that would be a big gamble even by his standards. By the sounds of things he’d have Uruguay and Fiji to play himself back into fitness, but any knock to one of the other locks in the first two games would leave the squad quite vulnerable.

[maestegmafia]

On form and fit Hill is a fantastic player to have in the squad.

All will be answered tomorrow, if hill doesn’t go I would be tempted to take another’s player who is not a second row. I don’t think Bradley Davies adds anything to the squad other than injury cover. Very anonymous today.

Gatland’s fairly regularly taken players who are returning from injury and let them play themselves back into fitness in competitive games, but that would be a big gamble even by his standards. By the sounds of things he’d have Uruguay and Fiji to play himself back into fitness, but any knock to one of the other locks in the first two games would leave the squad quite vulnerable.

True.. maybe we will go with less locks and more backrowers?

[maestegmafia]

Wales online are thinking along the same lines I am though they would take Wynn Jones over Rhys Carre and that’s a fair call.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/wales-rugby-world-cup-squad-16846243

[RiscaGame]

If Hill is definitely fit for game 2/3 of the WC, we have to take him. As it stands, I would have God and Ball starting the first games, until Hill is fit.

[Pie]

If Hill is definitely fit for game 2/3 of the WC, we have to take him. As it stands, I would have God and Ball starting the first games, until Hill is fit.

If Shingler is playing for sure...we need to have one set piece that is offensive...our scrum will suffer v Georgia and Aussie' are no slouches at scrum time anymore

Smith Owens Francis
Ball AWJ
Shingler Tips Navidi
Davies Bigs
North Parkes JD2 Adams
Liam

Evans Dee Lee Beard Moriarty/Wainwright Tomos Scott Patchell

[LondonTiger]

WALES’ 2019 RWC SQUAD
(Player / Community club / Club / Wales Caps / Previous RWC)
FORWARDS
Jake Ball – Camberley | Scarlets (35 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Adam Beard – Birchgrove RFC | Ospreys (15 Caps)
Rhys Carre – St Joseph’s | Saracens (1 Cap)
James Davies – Whitland | Scarlets (5 Caps)
Elliot Dee – Newbridge RFC | Dragons (21 Caps)
Ryan Elias – Carmarthen Athletic | Scarlets (8 Caps)
Tomas Francis – Malton & Norton | Exeter Chiefs (42 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Cory Hill – Pontypridd | Dragons (24 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones – Bonymaen | Ospreys (127 Caps) (2007/11/15 RWC)
Wyn Jones – Llandovery | Scarlets (14 Caps)
Dillon Lewis – Beddau | Cardiff Blues (14 Caps)
Ross Moriarty – Morriston | Dragons (33 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Josh Navidi – Bridgend Athletic | Cardiff Blues (18 Caps)
Ken Owens – Carmarthen Athletic | Scarlets (66 Caps) (2011/15 RWC)
Aaron Shingler – Hendy | Scarlets (20 Caps)
Nicky Smith – Waunarlwydd | Ospreys (30 Caps)
Justin Tipuric – Trebanos | Ospreys (65 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Aaron Wainwright – Whiteheads RFC | Dragons (11 Caps)
BACKS
Josh Adams – Hendy RFC | Cardiff Blues (13 Caps)
Hallam Amos – Monmouth RFC | Cardiff Blues (20 Caps)(2015 RWC)
Dan Biggar – Gorseinon | Northampton Saints (72 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Aled Davies – Whitland | Ospreys (19 Caps)
Gareth Davies – Newcastle Emlyn | Scarlets (43 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Jonathan Davies – Whitland | Scarlets (75 Caps) (2011 RWC)
Leigh Halfpenny – Gorseinon | Scarlets (81 Caps) (2011 RWC)
George North – Llangefni RFC | Ospreys (85 Caps) (2011/15 RWC)
Hadleigh Parkes – Hunterville |Scarlets (17 Caps)
Rhys Patchell – CRICC | Scarlets (12 Caps)
Owen Watkin – Bryncethin | Ospreys (16 Caps)
Tomos Williams – Treorchy Zebras | Cardiff Blues (8 Caps)
Liam Williams – Waunarlwydd | Saracens (56 Caps) (2015 RWC)

[RiscaGame]

Oh wow. I would never have expected Samson Lee and Rob Evans to miss out. I’m a little surprised James Davies and Hallam Amos are going too.

Forwards: Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs: Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams.

[maestegmafia]

There are a few big surprises there especially with the props.

[carpet baboon]

Why no Samson Lee? Is he injured?
Also Aled Davies isn't he the 9 who started yesterday?

[maestegmafia]

Why no Samson Lee? Is he injured?
Also Aled Davies isn't he the 9 who started yesterday?

Yes both are huge surprises.

I saw a comment on a rugby forum where Brynmor Williams had just commented on Jarrod Evans performance yesterday to say that he felt bad for him having to have had the starting slot. The next guy commented on Aled Davies being the biggest issue for Evans. BW left a smilie face in the comment below..

[carpet baboon]

His passing was terrible. It was slow and inaccurate unless he took a few steps with the ball then it was better in accuracy but Ireland's rush defence was all over her your 10.
And his kicking game was non existent.
Just recall Webb

[maestegmafia]

Looseheads

Rhys
Wyn
Nicky

Hookers

Cannon
Dee
Ryan

Tightheads

Francis
Dillon

Locks
AWJ
Hill
Beard
Ball

Blindsides
Shingler
Wainwright

Opens
Tips
Cubby

8s
Ross

Multi positional backrow forwards
Navidi

No.9
GD
Ad
Tomas

FH
patches
Bigs

Inside
Kiwi
Owen

Outside
JD2

Wings
George
Josh

Back three types
1/2p
Liam
Hallam

[Guest]

Surprised Rob Evans has been left out altogether at prop. I’d take him as first choice personally.

Ales Davies - very lucky. But I suppose if we’re taking 3 scrum halves, and Webb is not being considered, then who else is their outside of Davies and Williams?! Saying that I would have taken Rob Evans as 9 cover over Aled!

[maestegmafia]

Surprised Rob Evans has been left out altogether at prop. I’d take him as first choice personally.

Ales Davies - very lucky. But I suppose if we’re taking 3 scrum halves, and Webb is not being considered, then who else is their outside of Davies and Williams?! Saying that I would have taken Rob Evans as 9 cover over Aled!

Ha ha ha

On current form I would have taken Tavis Knoyle or Lloyd Williams over Aled.

Personally the young Scarlet Keiran Hardy would have been my choice

[Poorfour]

Some fairly big surprises in who was left out, but I can see the case for most of those included.

A couple of big risks - only two fly halves, only one No 8 (and Navidi didn't look that good filling in there), and is that two players who are currently injured?

[mikey_dragon]

I would’ve recalled Webb knowing that Aled was the only other option, talk about stealing a living. Also it’s a bit crazy to not take the other two Scarlets props. Evans is better than Wyn Jones IMO. Gats must really rate Carre.

[mikey_dragon]

Surprised Rob Evans has been left out altogether at prop. I’d take him as first choice personally.

Ales Davies - very lucky. But I suppose if we’re taking 3 scrum halves, and Webb is not being considered, then who else is their outside of Davies and Williams?! Saying that I would have taken Rob Evans as 9 cover over Aled!

Ha ha ha

On current form I would have taken Tavis Knoyle or Lloyd Williams over Aled.

Personally the young Scarlet Keiran Hardy would have been my choice

Hardy looks like he could become very good. The other 3 are incredibly poor, so it’s interesting how they’ve maintained a career at pro level.

[maestegmafia]

Surprised Rob Evans has been left out altogether at prop. I’d take him as first choice personally.

Ales Davies - very lucky. But I suppose if we’re taking 3 scrum halves, and Webb is not being considered, then who else is their outside of Davies and Williams?! Saying that I would have taken Rob Evans as 9 cover over Aled!

Ha ha ha

On current form I would have taken Tavis Knoyle or Lloyd Williams over Aled.

Personally the young Scarlet Keiran Hardy would have been my choice

Hardy looks like he could become very good. The other 3 are incredibly poor, so it’s interesting how they’ve maintained a career at pro level.

If all the scrum half’s in wales were injured except Tavs, Aled and Lloyd, who would you pick?

[mikey_dragon]

Probably Lloyd....

[maestegmafia]

Probably Lloyd....

Me too

Always have to respect when he came on as a left wing for Amos and managed to grubbed it inside for Gareth to go in under the posts.

[No9]

I would’ve recalled Webb knowing that Aled was the only other option, talk about stealing a living. Also it’s a bit crazy to not take the other two Scarlets props. Evans is better than Wyn Jones IMO. Gats must really rate Carre.

I'm in my late 50s now, got dodgy knees, few too many pounds round the waiste and my eyesight isnt what it used to be...

But, if needs must, I'll take that 3rd No9 spot instead of Aled....

[maestegmafia]

I would’ve recalled Webb knowing that Aled was the only other option, talk about stealing a living. Also it’s a bit crazy to not take the other two Scarlets props. Evans is better than Wyn Jones IMO. Gats must really rate Carre.

I'm in my late 50s now, got dodgy knees, few too many pounds round the waiste and my eyesight isnt what it used to be...

But, if needs must, I'll take that 3rd No9 spot instead of Aled....

And your country would thank you for it.

I’m hoping that Aled is going to be like the Huw Bennett selection in 2011. There was outrage at his inclusion and he proved us all wrong.

[LondonTiger]

Good luck guys, hope you get through today with no major injuries.

[maestegmafia]

Good luck guys, hope you get through today with no major injuries.

Cheers

Certainly looks like the toughest match this weekend with most top ten teams out for a kick about against a nation ranked ten places below them. I saw the ABs put 14 tries on Tonga this morning.

I don’t think the score in Dublin will be so flamboyant. Though like you said, hopefully both squads come through the game unscathed by injuries

[SecretFly]

If we're unfortunate to pick up a few serious injuries we might be back to the team/squad the chattering classes initially wanted in the first place!

How bizarre life sometime (perhaps mostly in recent years) is.

[LondonTiger]

Hope Patchell is OK. If he failed HIA, anyone know if you can fly while completing the concussion protocols.

[mikey_dragon]

Hope Patchell is OK. If he failed HIA, anyone know if you can fly while completing the concussion protocols.

Yeah, but someone will have to fly the plane for him.

[SecretFly]

At the joke,, not at Patchell's predicament.

[mikey_dragon]

I think guys like Jake Ball, Elliot Dee and Tomos Williams can be first choice, but I guess that is Gatland's decision. I think we should reconsider playing 3 open-sides in the back-row. We desperately need Shingler and Navidi to get back to their previous form if at all possible, otherwise we seem a bit underpowered. I'm still not sold on Tips being our 'best' 7, but he 'might' be the best available right now?

[Collapse2005]

Hope Patchell is OK. If he failed HIA, anyone know if you can fly while completing the concussion protocols.

Ah no

That is bad news.

[maestegmafia]

When they arrive in the city of Kitakyushu later this week – where Wales will hold a training camp – they will be backed by remarkable local support.

Wales’ attention to detail for Japan has been thorough. The Welsh Rugby Union have being going back and forth to Japan for the past two years and have started a legacy programme in Kitakyushu.

The southern Japanese city was disappointed to not have been awarded any World Cup games, but Wales have embraced the people of Kitakyushu as their own.

They will train there when they arrive in Japan and their programme has even seen the city’s school children learning the Welsh national anthem.

The Kitakyushu fire engines have had Welsh flags painted on them and the players have even been given a cultural handbook to study to ensure they don’t offend their hosts.

On Monday, a video on Twitter emerged of more Kitakyushu locals singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Looking ahead to their first World Cups following the defeat to Ireland, flanker Aaron Wainwright and hooker Elliot Dee could not hide their excitement.

“We’re in a pretty good place. Even though we’ve lost three out of the four warm-up games, we’ve still got lots out of them and we’ve got stuff we haven’t shown yet,” said Wainwright.

“We’re going to be ready for the first game and we’re excited to see what the pool has to offer.

“I wouldn’t even have thought about the World Cup a year ago. It’s been a long journey and with all the pre-season work I’ve put in I feel fit and ready to go. If we have to put in some not so good performances it’s better to do that now than in Japan.

“That’s the main thing – the games when we get there.

“When we get on the plane we’ll be putting this all behind us and concentrating on our pool games. Georgia first up is massive.”

Wales open their World Cup bid against Georgia in Toyota on September 23 and hooker Dee added: “It was lovely to be named in the squad. I am just really looking forward to getting out there. We have got a great group of boys. We have played some good rugby over the last 18 months and we are really excited to get out there and show what we can do.

“We have talked about it for a long time now. It’s been a brilliant journey so far and we have got to go out there and perform now.

“This squad has shown what it can do over the last two years. Everyone works incredibly hard and we are looking to work as hard as we can and get as far as we can.”

Wales plan to embrace the cultural experience of Japan while doing everything in their power to be successful on the field.

On Monday it also emerged Japan’s Ogura Castle in the western part of Hiki providence of Saitama prefecture will be lit up in red to support Wales. “You must not eat food in the street, cross the road before the lights change, or show off your tattoos,” added Gatland. “We’ve done a lot of ground work in Japan and we want the players to enjoy the whole experience.”

Wales team manager Alan Phillips said: “All the planning for the World Cup is done. Our preparation has been spot on and there is no doubt about that.

“What I love about World Cups is that they are a level playing field.

“It’s not like a November period when you play a southern hemisphere touring team who have played seven or eight matches and you haven’t played any. It’s a big imbalance. World Cups are different and we will be super fit come the World Cup. We’ll be strong and we’ve got a good group. Once you get through the pool anything can happen in the knock-out stages.

“There’s absolutely no reason why Wales fans can’t dream, not with the squad we have.”

[Taylorman]

Really cool when the locals, volunteers etc get involved, happened here in 2011 as sides were adopted by the various towns around.

Gats sounds positive, except he could have put '“There’s absolutely NO reason why Wales fans CAN'T dream, NOT with the squad we have.”' more positively.

Starting to heat up alright...

[maestegmafia]

Really cool when the locals, volunteers etc get involved, happened here in 2011 as sides were adopted by the various towns around.

Gats sounds positive, except he could have put '“There’s absolutely NO reason why Wales fans CAN'T dream, NOT with the squad we have.”' more positively.

Starting to heat up alright...

I remember the hospitality shown by the kiwis well. True spirit of rugby. Touring, making friends having the experience of a lifetime. So important to see.

https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/new-zealand-countries/nz-rugby-fans-offer-free-world-cup-accommodation-to-wales-fans-12088

[Guest]

Agree with the comments. It's sometimes easy to forget what rugby is like in the real world. Especially in the off-season. I get absorbed by the bickering and nastiness of stuff on rugby forums such as this one, but in reality rugby fans are not like that and it's overwhelmingly friendly and supportive and inclusive. Great to see it going so well in Japan. I was watching clips of South Africa training in Japan and something like 6000 fans turning out to watch them train. Also, great to see the South African players bowing to the crowd and to individual Japanese people they met. So respectful and something I hope all the teams are embracing.

[maestegmafia]

Interesting to see how many top players wales haven’t taken. Wales online have thrown up a list. Jamie Roberts, Rhys Priestland and a few others are a bit generous but there are a fair number of big names we are without beyond the obvious Gareth Anscombe and Toby Faletau.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

"We’ll be strong and we’ve got a good group. Once you get through the pool anything can happen in the knock-out stages."

Do we have to tempt fate like this?

[maestegmafia]

Little competition on BBC Rugby to test your knowledge can you remember the team ?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49664739

[Guest]

Little competition on BBC Rugby to test your knowledge can you remember the team ?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49664739

That's just 1 world cup before my time unfortunately. I was 10 then and not really in to rugby. I'll give it a go though, but it might be a tad embarrassing!

[Collapse2005]

Jonathan Davies and Iuean Evans were the only ones I could think of.

[Guest]

The hints helped me! I got 8/15

Some there I've never heard of really (e.g. 1 and 6) and a couple that I can only just about remember hearing about (e.g. 2 and 3).

[RiscaGame]

I had 11. Every back and obviously two of the surnames are paired, so the surname gave me two answers.

I am loving reading about Wales in Japan and the culture. It has been great to see the locals adopting us too.

[Guest]

Didn't realise you could just put in surnames! I was putting in full names!!!

[LondonTiger]

12/15 (got lucky with Stuart Evand though) did not get 1,6,7. annoyed not to get 7.

[maestegmafia]

Not as easy as you would think 10/15. The front row I could think of only Alan Phillips who played Hooker.

[maestegmafia]

Adam Beard was admitted to hospital ahead of Wales' departure on Wednesday to have his appendix removed according to WOL. He will rejoin the rest of the squad in Japan early next week.

[lostinwales]

Adam Beard was admitted to hospital ahead of Wales' departure on Wednesday to have his appendix removed according to WOL. He will rejoin the rest of the squad in Japan early next week.

Odd. Jack Nowell has had the same problem

[maestegmafia]

Adam Beard was admitted to hospital ahead of Wales' departure on Wednesday to have his appendix removed according to WOL. He will rejoin the rest of the squad in Japan early next week.

Odd. Jack Nowell has had the same problem

Not a nice thing at all. My daughter had an appendicitis mid channel on a sailing trip to France when she was about fourteen. Poor thing was in absolute agony for hours until we could get to shore, absolutely traumatising for us parents.

The articles say he should be joining the squad soon thanks to the miracles of modern surgery

[Collapse2005]

Not sure if its news to Welsh fans or not but just read that Gareth Thomas has been HIV positive for years. Sad to hear.

[No 7&1/2]

And some idiot has forced his hand by trying to blackmail him.

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